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"It's chilly. In a nice way."
Jonny blurted this out of nowhere, catching Thom's attention. They both were idly walking the streets of Oxford, something Jonny suggested in hopes of making Thom's mood elevate. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to care.
"Right.." He grumpily responded after a beat or two. His face was a bit sullen, making Jonny lose the joy on his.
Depression hit Thom harder than ever this year. Though considerable progress was being made on music he really enjoyed, nothing he did could get him out of 'The Gunk'.
It sickened Jonny to no end. He put forth so much effort into doing anything and everything just to help Thom outside of the studio. Usually he heavily influenced his mood, easily able to bring Thom down. They confided in each other. Thom would cry on his shoulder and Jonny would cry on his. Yet right now, Jonny even insinuating his life was a little hard ended up being major set up for a Thom breakdown.
They continued to stroll, the silence getting awkward. Jonny brushed hair behind his ear, Thom scratched his nose, the leaves fell, everything ridiculously ordinary. Then, the moment broke.
"I think you should leave."
Thom stated this harshly, trying his best to seem tough and deter him away from attempting to help. The taller stopped in his tracks with furrowed brows, staring like a deer in headlights. Thom continued moving, determined to get away from him. But Jonny wasn't losing his spirit. He began to follow him again, soon catching up. Thom groaned.
"That means fuck off, Jonny. I'm going home." He fussed, yet the brunette still following behind. Thom increased his speed, but he kept up. After walking zigzag, briefly running, and even walking in the road, he could hear Jonny copying all his movements. Thom sharply turned around.
"Jonathan-"
"No."
Thom didn't even get to finish. He started to get angry. There certainly more to say. He started again, with a mean scold.
"You need to-"
"No."
After a few more tries, he gave up and scoffed. He continued moving in ridiculous ways, just to anything to get him off his tail. Instead, Jonny started giggling, enjoying this game of tag along.
"You look ridiculous, Thom."
He chuckled out, knowing he made him even more irritated. Jonny repeated all his motions, turning this into a game. Thom treaded against the wall, so did he. He pranced like a deer, so did he. Thom finally stopped, turning around.
"You're really starting to piss me off, Jonathan." He crossed his arms and tapped his foot. Though, undeniably, the corners of his mouth started to turn upwards. This totally amused him.
"And you're smiling." He teased back, annoyingly. Feeling exposed, Thom did everything in his power to wipe it off his face. He failed, turning around with a huff. Once looking away, he couldn't help but grin. He would never say it out loud, but this absolutely enterained him. He would even call it cute.
Opening up just a bit more, he stopped trying to mask his delight. He started to hop, skip and giggle. Jonny felt successful. He knew for sure he definitely enjoyed this. He ran infront of Thom, seeing if he would follow his lead too.
Which he very much did. Thom twirled and laughed, getting even more giggly as Jonny almost tripped and fell on his untied shoelaces. As he tied them, Thom followed his lead and took a knee too.
"I think everyone on the street and inside these stores believes we're insane." Thom joked, on one foot as they foolishly jumped around.
Jonny smirked and turned around, walking backwards. He held his head up high, face snooty. "Thought you wanted me to piss off," enjoying how Thom's face contorted into a grimace.
After some more antics, Jonny got a little bolder. Still in the lead, he reached for Thom's hand. This flustered him immediately, embarrassed about getting dragged around.
"Slow down!" he yelped, almost tumbling over as they abruptly stopped.
"What the fuck was that for?!"
Ignoring Thom's grumpiness, Jonny let go of his hand. They stood infront of a coffee shop. The grouch looked it up and down, then towards his friend.
"Hell are we doing here?"
"It's open."
"Why would anyone need caffeine at 9pm?"
Before he could further testify and call him crazy, Jonny opened the door and went inside. He followed, annoyed and slouching his shoulders to seem a bit tougher.
It was, unsurprisingly, rather empty. Jonny headed towards the counter, the other deciding to look around. A sweet, homey, environment starkly contrasted the cold outside. Warm dim lighting lit up the room, helping the atmosphere. He strayed towards the the window, noticing a few items for sale.
What drew his attention was a hat rack. None of it had obvious branding, just tacky yet dull colors. He helped himself to try one on, a colorful striped beanie. It snugly fit on his head. He looked in the reflection of the window.
As he continued pondering on if it had any value, his eyes focused outside. A small gasp left him, quickly turning around to yell out what he saw.
"Jonny-" He stopped, squeaked, and jumped.
Jonny stood right behind him. He held two small drinks in his hands, watching as Thom grasped at his chest and caught his breath from the surprise.
"Yes?"
Bastard.
Thom found himself beginning to stumble over his words, still recovering from how he was caught so off-guard by someone so damn harmless.
"Look.. Look outside." He grumbled. Jonny leaned over to get a better look, eyes widening. He perked up when he caught a glimpse of the snowflakes.
"Is that why you're wearing that?" He asked, going back to standing straight. Thom immediately got defensive.
"No, of course not, I just-"
"I'll buy it."
Thom disapprovingly squeezed his face, knowing it was useless to deny him. He shook his head, Jonny setting the drinks on a nearby table and plucking it off Thom's head. However, he noticed soon how Jonny grabbed a second one in a similar pattern off the rack. He groaned.
"Oh no.. No, no, no."
Jonny smirked. He skittered off once more, Thom making sure to keep his eyes on him. He would rather not get scared by his timid friend again. The short haired man grabbed his drink, a tad shaky. He hesitantly took a sip, resuming his snarky attitude as Jonny came back.
"You've wasted your money," he mumbled as Jonny put on his own headwear, "I'm not wearing a matching hat with you."
"Sure you are." He smiled, forcing it on his head and picking up his drink. Thom snarled, but didn't take it off.
"What even is this?"
"Hot chocolate, you arse."
He gently ahh-ed. They both fell silent, though in a comfortable manner this time. Thom continued drinking, reluctant and not wanting to admit he was actually enjoying spending time with Jonny.
"It's nice when you smile, Thom."
Those words ran through his body like waves. He took a minute to process, before eventually brushing it off, betraying his sarcasm with a nervous smirk.
"Jesus, you can't stop saying shit unprompted, huh?"
After a few more quiet moments, they soon headed outside. They began to trek towards their way home in comfortable silence, Jonny leaning his head back to feel the snow hit his face.
After around 15 minutes, they arrived at the bus stop to Thom's house. Jonny couldn't keep but say something again. He tilted his head.
"Did you enjoy yourself?"
The words lost him at first. These days he found himself doing everything in his power to shut people out, to not have fun, to not enjoy himself. Yet, it was undeniable - he did have fun. He did enjoy himself.
"Yeah."
Jonny lit up hearing this. The snow got a bit heavier, Jonny going over to wipe off a nearby bench to sit down. He took a sip of his drink, looking away as not to seem rude. As the snow started to collect on the ground, Thom took a seat next to him. He got closer, his free hand lightly grabbing Jonny's pinky.
The cold wind blew against their face, yet Jonny never felt warmer than in this very moment. He got closer to Thom, leaning his head against his. He couldn't shake the feeling Thom's cheeks weren't just pink from the chill.
As the bus entered eyeshot, Thom let go of him. It saddened him a bit, but he understood. The short man stood up. He threw away the now empty cup, the brakes halting with a squeal.
Though the moment was ending, Thom didn't want to be impolite. All day Jonny was being out of pocket, saying things to make Thom fidget, but now it was his turn.
"I love you, Jon."
Wide eyed. Words reached at Jonny's lips, yet failed to come out. Nothing helped. His cheeks began to turn pink, definitely not from the cold. As the seconds passed, Thom got antsy and the bus driver scolded. The brunette finally smiled.
"You too, Thom."
The nervousness washed away. They both waved frantically as Thom was urged in the vehicle. He never liked being rushed, his face scrunching up just a bit. As he irritatingly sat down in a window seat and the bus driver hit the gas, he made sure to give Jonny a few gestures.
Thom made a peace sign, the other following suite. They both laughed and looked ridiculous, but it was all worth it.
As the bus drove away, regret started to fill Jonny's spirit. He should've said 'I love you' back, but his awkwardness got in the way. Regardless of how much sorrow he wanted to wallow in, he needed to make way to his own car. He stood up and began walking again.
Although he still cursed himself out mentally, a smile decorated his face. He grabbed at his hat, thinking about how Thom wore the same. He giggled to himself. He was glad he finally made Thom smile again.